Apparatus for selecting and positioning buttons for sewing on a sewing machine



Feb. 10, 19 70 w. B. HOPKINS 3,494,311

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND POSITIONING BUTTONS FOR SEWING ON A SEWING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. ,W/zz/w/ 5 569mm? Feb. 10, 1970 w. B. HOPKINS 3,494,311

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND POSITIONING BUTTONS FOR SEWING ON A SEWING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1964 IN V EN TOR. [ff 4 z /4/l/ 5 //0W/A/ 10, 1970 w. B. HOPKINS 3,494,311

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND POSITIONING BUTTONS FOR SEWING ON A SEWING MACHINE,

Filed July 2, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 jN V EN TOR. fia /a/vs Feb. 10, 1970 w. B. HOPKINS APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND POSITIONING BUTTONS FOR SEWING ON A SEWING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 2, 1964 INVENTOR.

:W/AM 15 WW/VS Feb. 10, 197.0 w, B.- HOPKINS 3,494,311

APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND vosmxonme BUTTONS FOR SEWING on A SEWING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1964 s Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. W404, .5 //0/ /(//V5 Feb. 10, 1970' w. B. HOPKINS APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND POSITIONING BUTTONS FOR SEWING ON A SEWING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 2, 1964 IN V EN TOR. M405 5 w A m s United States Patent APPARATUS FOR SELECTING AND POSI- TIONING BUTTONS FOR SEWING ON A SEWING MACHINE William B. Hopkins, Muscatine, Iowa, assignor to McKee Button Company, Inc., Muscatine, Iowa Filed July 2, 1964, Ser. No. 379,801 Int. Cl. D05b 3/22 U.S. Cl. 112113 35 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for selecting and positioning buttons for sewing on a sewing machine having a button chute means for feeding buttons to the machine, a vibratory spiral means feeding the buttons to the chute means, selector means for feeding buttons face side up to the chute means, button locking means for holding a button in a predetermined position on the machine for sewing; positioner means for rotating a button disposed in said locking means to a predetermined position, the selector means including a sensor switch with a fixed plate secured to a stationary post, and resilient spring means adapted to actuate a contact member for contacting a button passing by the sensor switch.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine so that the buttons are fed with the right side up and with the buttonholes properly positioned for sewing them onto a piece of cloth disposed on a sewing machine.

At the present time button sewing machines employ a clamp which holds one button at a time. The clamp is forced to move back and forth by a cam action so the opposite holes are sewn in turn.

In the case of four-hole buttons, a cam motion moves the clamp over so the last pair of hOleS are sewn as well. When these machines are hand-fed, the operator raises the clamp with one foot pedal which at the same time opens the clamp. The operator then picks up a button and places it in the clamp so the holes are positioned properly. Upon release of the foot pedal, the clamp grips the button and lowers it onto the cloth. A second foot pedal starts the sewing machine through its cycle to sew on the button.

When these present-day button sewing machines are fed by automatic means, the same clamp is employed. The raising and lowering of the clamp and the tripping of the sewing machine is a function of the automatic feeder.

A transfer arm, which holds a single button at a time, comes out of the automatic feeder and in one quick pass clips the button into the sewing machine clamp much as the operator would do manually. The mechanism in the automatic feeders employed to select the correct side of the button and to position the button is plagued by certain difiiculties.

The feeders are troubled greatly by static electricity which builds up by friction on the plastic buttons. This causes sticking in the operations that follow. The chutes employed are gravity-fed and button deformations can cause sticking. When a serious case of sticking occurs, it necessitates taking the machine apart.

The button must be uniform in thickness or the selection of the face side of the button cannot be made with certainty.

'ice

The feeder is entirely mechanical in nature. A drum holds a supply of buttons and is swept through by a revolving brush. Buttons find their way through a gate in the side of the drum and then travel down a first chute under a selector pin which actuates a latching mechanism. When the pin falls down to a greater extent it represents a face side of a button, and when it falls down a lesser extent a back side of a button. The latching mechanism then allows a slotted drum to turn either in one direction or the other so the button is delivered face side-up to the second chute. The second chute delivers the button to a nest which has a shutter at the bottom. Four pins on the transfer arm wait just under the shutter.

A rubber-tipped shaft then lowers onto the button face while it is in the nest, resting on the shutter. The button is turned back and forth by the reversing turn of the rubber tip. At a critical instant the shutter is pulled back and the still turning button is dropped onto the pins. The remaining spin allows the holes to come to a position aligning with the pins and it then drops down on the pins at the end of the transfer arm.

The transfer arm then clips the button into the sewing machine clamp with a quick outward sweep. The sewing machine is then actuated by the feeder to sew on the button. The buttons are out of view up until the instant they are clipped into the sewing machine clamp. Sewing then follows very quickly, there being no chance to avoid sewing on a wrong-sided button should one have gotten by the selector process.

In accordance with the present invention a button selector and positioner apparatus is provided to feed a buttonsewing machine to overcome the many problems and difficulties encountered as above mentioned.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a button selector and positioner apparatus to feed a buttonsewing machine provided with a vibratory spiral means utilized to hold a quantity of buttons thereon and properly feed the chutes of the apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine in which the buttons are fed by gravity and assisted by the force of a vibratory spiral means which eliminates any static electric charges and causes the buttons to be forcefed to the chutes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding a plurality of buttons successively to a button-sewing machine in which the buttons are maintained in the chutes by fiat wire guard means which can be readily flipped back or readily removed from above the buttons for cleaning out the button chute.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding a plurality of buttons to a button-sewing machine in which the buttons are in open view and readily observable throughout the button-feeding operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding buttons to a button-sewing machine having vibratory spiral means with sensor means operatively connected to the vibratory spiral means as the buttons come near the end of the spiral, which kick-off or remove from the spiral and discharge back into the bowl of the vibratory spiral means a button which is not disposed the right side-up, or with its face side-up for proper sewing onto a piece of cloth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sensor means for a vibratory spiral of a button-feeding apparatus in which the buttons as they approach the end of the spiral pass under a small nylon-tipped sensor means provided with a switch which actuates an electronic circuit that, in turn, is able to energize a kick-off solenoid. If a button comes along the spiral facing right side-up or with its face side-up, it passes under the sensor switch, and the kick-off solenoid remains still. However, if a button comes up the spiral the wrong side-up, or with its bottom side-up, the sensor switch will cause the button to be kicked back into the bowl of the vibratory spiral means to return later.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a button-feeding apparatus having vibratory spiral means provided with sensor switch means which will permit buttons to be fed to a sewing machine of varying uniformity, and which will still make correct selections in kicking-off buttons that are disposed bottom face-up.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine having vibratory spiral means, With optical-sensing means disposed adjacent the end of the vibratory spiral utilizing light-beam means for detecting buttons that are disposed on the spiral with their bottom side-up and which causes such buttons to be discharged back into the bowl of the spiral, in which various button thicknesses do not interfere with the proper selection by the optical means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine having vibratory spiral means with resilient-mounting means connecting the vibratory spiral with the upper button chute means so that the upper chute receives vibratory energy while at the same time it does not interfere with the vibratory motion of the spiral.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for feeding buttons to a button-sewing machine with means for locking a button in position to be sewed, which locking means includes a movable jaw member and a stationary jaw member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a button-feeding apparatus for feeding buttons to a button-sewing machine having button-locking means including a movable jaw member and a stationary jaw member, and which locking means permits the button to be moved with the cloth to which it is sewed to one side, so that the button is removed from the jaws while the cloth is being brought into the next sew position to thereby reduce the number of operations the operator must go through.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine in which the thread that trails from the needle each time sewing is completed, is kept out of the way by a spring flipper member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a button-feeding apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine having locking means for properly positioning the button adjacent the piece of cloth to which it is to be sewed and pin means which extend into the buttonholes in order to properly rotate the button to a predetermined position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a button apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing machine with button pin means which can rotate the button so that the holes are positioned on a piece of cloth upon which the button is to be sewed in a predetermined position, which means can swoop down and over the button to be positioned and thereafter moved upwardly and out from over the button to be sewed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide 1 button apparatus for feeding buttons to a sewing ma- :hine having torsion spring means for retaining the next )utton to be sewed in place, which torsion spring means :ooperates with the locking means.

Various other objects and advantages of the present nvention will be readily apparent from the following letailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part there and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the button apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating the cloth lock button chute;

FIGURE 3 is a detail view in side elevation and partly broken away end section of the vibratory spiral bowl and the resilient means connecting the upper button chute to the vibratory spiral bowl;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken along line 44 of FIG- URE 3 illustrating the optical sensor means for detecting and kicking-back into the vibratory spiral bowl buttons that are disposed with their bottom face-up;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the optical sensor means illustrated in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a detail plan view of the pin means used to rotate the button-holes to a predetermined position;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the buttonpositioning means including the movable and stationarv jaw piece members;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the torsion spring means for retaining and positioning the next button to be sewed;

FIGURE 9 is a section taken along line 99 of FIG- URE 6 illustrating the pin means for properly rotating the button so that the holes are in a predetermined Dosition;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of FIGURE 9 illustrating the spring flipper member for holding the thread out of the way;

FIGURE 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 7 illustrating the jaw piece members and the torsion spring retention member;

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view illustrating a modification of the locking means of FIGURE 7 in which the locking members are arranged so that the sewed button can be removed from the side by the operator;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the rubber support means for the vibratory bowl;

FIGURE 14 illustrates in top plan view the cam switch means in which the sequence of all the operations are timed out by the sequence switch;

FIGURE 15 illustrates apparatus for rotating the button to square the holes or dispose them in a predetermined position by light beam means;

FIGURE 16 is a "section taken along line 16-16 of FIGURE 2 illustrating aperture means for permitting the button bracket means to have relative movement with respect to the cloth lock button chute solenoid;

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary detail view of the switch sensor means for detecting buttons turned wrong side-up as they pass along the vibratory spiral;

FIGURE 18 illustrates a motor-driven sequence switch which times out the button positioner and permits the sewing machine to start its operation;

FIGURE 19 is the wiring diagram of the button selector positioner; and

FIGURE 20 illustrates the micro-switch sensor hookup.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURES 1 and 3 illustrate the vibrating machine, generally designated 10, which is well-known and contains a vibrating motor mounted on a base 11. The vibrating machine 10 is supported by a plurality of cylindrical rubber posts or feet 12 and in turn supports a substantially cylindrical bowl or vibratory spiral unit or ramp 13. The spiral ramp is provided with a continuous upwardly spiraling path for the travel of buttons thereon provided by a plurality of spiral turns 14 with the lowermost turn 14 being disposed radially inwardly of the next adjacent turn 14 so that buttons discharged into the bowl 13 will travel upwardly around the spiral turns 14 when the vibrating machine 10 is operated. It will be noted that the turns 14 have their innermost side, that is, the side or edge thereof disposed radially inwardly toward the center of the bowl disposed at a higher level than the outer edge of the turn 14 so that the buttons carried on the turns 14 will not fall back into the center of the bowl. The bowl 13 is positioned laterally with respect to the vibrating machine by a plurality of vertical circumferentially spaced members or posts secured to the base 11 and provided with conical rubber members 16, as best seen in FIGURE 13, adjacent their upper ends, which conical members 16 bear against the side wall 17 of the upper edge of the bowl adjacent the upper turn 14 thereof. Thus, the rubber posts 12 and the rubber members 16 confine the vibrations of the machine 10 and the vibratory unit or bowl 13. This also insulates the base 11 from inadvertently setting up any sympathetic vibration in the base.

The side wall 17 of the bowl is provided with a discharge outlet or opening 18 therein, as best seen in FIG- URES 1 and 3, for discharging the buttons from the bowl to an upper feed chute 19. The upper button feed chute 19 is provided with identical opposite vertical side walls and a bottom and is inclined downwardly from a point adjacent the opening 18 to a lower chute 20 as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2. Upper chute 19 is mounted or connected to the bowl 13 adjacent its upper end by an L-shaped member 21 secured by a threaded member 22 to the bowl 13 adjacent the opening 18. The threaded member 22 is provided with two annular rubber cushion members 23 mounted on the threaded member 22 and disposed on opposite sides of the vertical leg 24 of the bracket member 21. The horizontal leg 25 of the bracket member 21 is connected to the chute 19 through a metal rivet member 26 secured to the bottom of the chute 19 and extending through an opening in the leg 25 thereby forming a pivot point for chute 19. The outer end of leg 25 is disposed between the bottom of the chute 19 and the horizontal leg of a rubber block member 27 secured to the bottom of chute 19. This provides a resilient joint connection between the upper end of the chute 19 and the bowl 13. This also permits the upper chute 19 to drive the buttons forward down the chute and prevents the chute from dissipating the spiral ramp or bowl of its required vibratory energy.

The other end of the chute 19, as best seen in FIGURE 2, is provided with a vertical pin 28 disposed in a slot 29 of substantially larger dimensions than the pin, which slot 29 is provided in an L-shaped block 30 secured to a vertical support member 31 which supports the upper end of the lower chute 20 which is the cloth lock button chute. A thin plate 32 is secured to the block 30 adjacent the outer end of the slot 29 so that the chute 20 and the chute 19 can move with respect to each other, and any vibratory energy that may be in the upper chute 19 is prevented from being ground out by the lower chute 20 as the pin 28 can move back and forth in a lateral direction within the slot 29. This connection of the chute 20, with respect to the lower end of the chute 19, also allows the cloth lock button chute 20 to move relative to the upper chute 19 when a button is being sewn, as hereinafter described. The chute 20 is fed buttons by the aid of gravity since it is inclined downwardly or sloped downwardly, and is also fed by the force built up by the line of buttons moving along the turns 14 of the bowl 13 and the buttons in the upper chute 19.

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the side wall 17 of the bowl 13 is provided with an opening 33 therein through which extends the plunger 34 of a solenoid 35. The kick-off solenoid 35 is disposed adjacent the opening 18 through which the buttons are discharged to the upper chute 19, so that the kick-off solenoid 35 can push off of the upper turn 14 any buttons that are turned bottom side-up or are not delivered to the discharge opening face side-up. Referring to FIGURE 5, it will be noted that the tip of the plunger 34, actuated by the solenoid 35, is disposed within the inner side of the side wall 17 of the bowl so that as the buttons approach it 6 they are caused to move out around the tip of the solenoid plunger 34 in their path of travel.

Referring to FIGURE 3, disposed interiorly of the side wall 17 is a sensor switch 36 adapted to detect whether the button is disposed face side-up, or wrong side-up so as to actuate the kick-off solenoid 35 to push the button back into the center of the bowl if it is not facing the correct side-up.

The sensor switch 36, see FIGURES 3 and 17, consists of a horizontal plate 37 secured by a bracket 38 to the top surface of a post 53 by any suitable means. Ifdesired, the bracket 38 may have vertical and hoizontal slots to receive securing screws therethrough that attach it to the post 53 so that the switch may be adjusted vertically upwardly or downwardly and horizontally so that the switch may be positioned to be sensitive to different size buttons. The outer end of plate 37 is provided with a downwardly extending member 39 having a horizontal leg 40 with a contact facing upwardly, which contact 41 is adapted to contact a complementary contact 42 disposed on the bottom side of a resilient, elongated leaf spring 43 having one end secured by a screw member to the plate 37 and being disposed below the plate, as clearly shown in the drawings. The outer end of the leaf spring 43 is provided with a downwardly extending tip member 44 adapted to contact a button passing on turn 14 past the switch 36. When the tip member 44 has been set to the proper height and position, two quick openings of the contacts 41 and 42 will be produced when a button passes by the switch with its face side-up or, in other words, correctly facing in the proper, desired position. Since the face of a button has a recess or depression therein, with a rim extending around the outer periphery or circumference, a closing of the contacts 41 and 42 occurs at the edges of the button. The electronic circuit, as hereinafter described, uses these pulses to provide a kick signal in the case of a button that is not moving along the spiral ramp face side-up, or in other words, when the button is disposed with its bottom side-up, the tip member 44 will register along continuous opening between the contacts 41 and 42 so as to actuate the kick-off solenoid 35 to push or kick the button, facing wrong side up back into the bowl 13.

It will be noted also that the tip member 44 is disposed along the path of travel on the leading side of the solenoid plunger 34, or in other words, at a position located away from the outlet 18 of the bowl, with respect to the solenoid plunger 34. The positioning of the tip member 44 along the spiral ramp before the button passes the solenoid plunger 34 also insures that the button will take an outwardly arching path around the plunger 34 and come into contact with the tip member 44.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 5, instead of the sensor switch means 36, an optical sensor system 45 is provided for determining whether the button is facing in the right direction as it passes along the upper turn 14 of the spiral ramp 13. In this modification the optical system and photo-conductive cell used in the light beam method of detection provides sensing means that is more sensitive in that various button thicknesses do not interfere with the proper selection. Light from a small exciter lamp 46 secured to a stand 47 is focused directly down by a lens 48 to a small brilliant spot which hits the vibratory bowl turn 14 at the point indicated as 49 in FIGURE 5 toward the forward side of the solenoid plunger 34. The turn is blackened or dark in this area so no great amount of light is reflected. Light that is reflected directly up, when a button is facing the wrong side-up or, that is, when the bottom facing the button is disposed upwardly and the button bottom is in the spot of light, is caught by a mirror 50 Set at an angle. The light is reflected into the small open end of a cone member 51 and then onto the sensitive surface of a photoconductive cell. Light that is not reflected directly upwardly, but slants off at an angle is not intercepted by the mirror and does not enter the cone.

As a button passes with its correct side-up, or its face side-up, two pulses are generated as the button rim passes under the light spot twice, but the beveled face of the button recess or depression causes the light to miss the mirror over the majority of the travel path of the button. When the light beam strikes the back of a button, the solenoid 35 is energized, as hereinafter described, so as to kick or push the button off of the turn 14 back into the bottom of the bowl 13.

Referring to FIGURES l and 3 it will be observed that the optical sensor system 45 can be secured to a bracket support member 52, in turn secured to the support post 53, carried in any suitable way by the base 11 so that the optical sensor system 45 can be secured to the device without interfering in any way with the sensor switch 36. Thus, as desired the machine can be operatively connected so as to use either the sensor switch 36 at one time and the optical sensor system 45 at another time without having to dismantle or reassemble the apparatus. It will be noted that the mirror 48', the lamp 46 and the cone 51 and the photoconductive cell 54 are all carried by the stand 47.

After the sensor means have selected the buttons so that only buttons disposed face side-up or the correct side-up get past the sensor means, the button enter the upper chute 19 and move down the chute under vibratory energy into the lower chute 20. They are retained in chute 20 by the flattened wire guard 55 as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. Wire guard 55 is secured at 56, see FIGURE 7, by a screw member to the side of the chute 20.

The lower end of the chute 20 is provided with a flat, horizontal plate member 57 which extends beyond the side wall of the upper portion of the chute 20 as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 7 so that the buttons move down the more inclined portion of the chute 20, as shown in FIGURE 2, through the arcuate end section 58 and onto the fiat plate member 57 (FIGS. 2 and 12). The plate member 57 has disposed on opposite sides thereof corresponding plates 59 and 60 provided with elongated, spaced slots 61 with threaded members 62 securing the plates 59 and 60 to the plate 57. The plates 59 and 60 can be spaced toward or away from each other so as to accommodate buttons of various sizes and diameters and serve as a guideway or track for guiding the buttons after they have left the portion of the chute 20 with the side walls. The outer end of plate 59 is provided with a movable jaw piece 63, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 11, with a circular segment or recess 64 disposed therein while the outer end of plate 60 is provided with a stationary jaw piece 65 secured thereto, also having a circu- [ar recess 66 on the inner side thereof and disposed in lateral alignment with the recess 64 for locking a button to be sewn therebetween. Jaw pieces are suitably secured to their respective plates 59 and 60 by any suitable means. The jaw piece 63 is provided with a slidable member 67 in which is disposed the recess 64 and the outer end or the rear side of the slidable member 67 is diagonally cut as indicated at 68 to be moved by a complementary wedge 69 carried by the movable jaw piece 63 and actuated by a wedge solenoid 70, as shown in FIGURE 8 and FIGURE 7.

The cloth lock and button chute 20 is supported on the sewing platform or base 71 of a well-known sewing machine indicated as 72 having a sewing needle 73 The cloth lock and button chute 20 is supported on the platform 71 of the sewing machine by a frame 74, as shown in FIGURES l and 2. The frame 74 is suitably secured to the top of the platform 71 by threaded means or the like indicated at 75 and FIGURES 1 and 2. The frame 74 is provided with a groove 76 into which the lower end of the vertical support member 31 is pivotally connected. It will be noted from FIGURE 2 that the vertical support member 31 ha a bent-back portion 77 adjacent its lower end which fits into the groove 76 so that the member 31 is pivoted about this point or groove 76. The

chute 20 is also rigidly supported or connected to the vertical support member 31 by two cross-braces or struts 78 disposed on opposite sides of the chute and secured to the side walls thereof and the member 31. A substantially horizontal leaf spring 79 extends into the frame 74, as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, and is provided with a groove 80 or slot adjacent its other end which is in contact with a pin 81 disposed on the underside of the leaf spring 79 which pin, in turn, is secured to a strut 82 secured to the underside or botom of the chute 20 so that the chute 20 and plate 57 and the jaw pieces are normally biased or urged toward the surface of the sewing machine platform 71. Thus, the chute 20 pivots about the groove 76 and the leaf spring 79 continuously urges the chute 20 in its lowermost position. In this position of the chute a piece of fabric or cloth 83, upon which buttons are to be sewed, is therefore locked between the patform 71 and the plate '57 on the lower end of the chute 20. Button sewing machines presently in use normally use the groove 76 to mount the usual button clamp for sewing buttons onto a piece of fabric.

The chute 20 is provided with a projection or outwardly extending member 84, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 16, secured to the side of the chute 20 adjacent its lower portion and toward the rear of the plate 57, when looking at FIGURE 2, provided with a large rectangular or square opening therein. The projection 84 depends from the side of the chute 20 and a solenoid plunger or rod 86 of substantially smaller diameter than the area of the opening 85 extend therethrough. The lower end f the plunger or rod 86 has a larger diameter than the opening 85 so that the rod can raise the plate 57 and the chute 20 from out of contact with the surface of the platform 71 and a fabric 83 disposed on the platform.

A cloth lock and button chute solenoid 89 is provided for actuating the rod 86. A spring 90, mounted over the rod 86 and secured to the collar 91, in turn affixed to the rod 86 by a set screw or the like, normally urges the rod 86 in its uppermost position so that the disc 87 contacts the underside of the projection 84 and lifts the chute 20 and plate 57 from out of contact with the platform 71. The spring 90 and collar 91 are well-known and are of an adjustable type so that the tension in the spring may be varied by moving the collar upwardly or downwardly on the rod 86 to vary the tension in the spring 90.

When the solenoid 89 is energized it overcomes the force in the spring normally holding the rod 86 in its uppermost position so that the rod 86 is lowered to clear the bottom of the projection 84 so that the leaf spring 79 will force the plate 57 and chute 90 downwardly into contact with the platform or a fabric disposed thereon.

It will be noted that the rod 86 passes through the squared opening 85 of the projection so as to allow the chute to be free to move in a square pattern when a button is being sewn. When the solenoid 89 is again deenergized, the leaf spring 79, which does not have as much force in it as the spring 90, is thereby lifted by the spring 90 and the chute 20 and plate 57 are lifted and moved out of contact with the platform 71.

It will be noted that the rod 86 is substantially vertically disposed and the solenoid 89 is secured by any suitable means to the sewing machine 72.

Referring to FIGURES 7 8, and 11, after the buttons have entered the upper chute 19 and have moved down into the lower chute 20, the first button in line, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 and designated 92, is locked by the button lock mechanism, or the movable and stationary jaw pieces 63 and 65, respectively. The first button 92 enters the circular recess 66 in the stationary jaw piece 65. The button is held in this recess and in the corresponding circular recess 64 on the movable jaw piece 63 by energizing the wedge solenoid 70. The solenoid 70 is provided with a rod 93 and has a spring 94 operatively connected thereto so that the rod 93 and the wedge member 69, to which one end of the rod 93 is secured, normally maintains the wedge in the retracted position, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 7. When the wedge solenoid 70 is energized or actuated, the nylon wedge 69 is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 7 and the rod 93 pushes the wedge 69 in the direction of the arrow so that the laterally slidable member 67 moves in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 7 to lock the button 92 in the corresponding circular recesses 64 and 66. It will be noted that the jaw pieces 63 and 65 are provided with an undercut (not shown) in the portions thereof adjacent the button-grasping side, somewhat in the shape of a V-shape, so that the button is forced downwardly and centered on the lower lip of the jaw pieces when the button is gripped.

A spring member 95 (FIG. 11) is secured to plate 59 (FIG. 7) and slidable member 67 (FIG. 11) so as to normally maintain or urge the slidable member 67 away from a locking position or in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 7. The force in the spring, of course, is overcome by the movement of the wedge 69 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 7 when it is desired to lock the button 92 between the corresponding jaw pieces. The wedge solenoid 70 is secured to the frame 74 by any suitable wellknown means.

A torsion spring member 96, as shown in FIGURES 7, 8 and 11, is pivotally connected adjacent to the stationary jaw piece 65 and is provided with a downwardly extending end 97 of the torsion spring in the path of travel of a sewn button 92. The other end of the torsion spring member is fixed or secured to the jaw 65 so that as a sewn button passes the torsion spring member it winds the spring and the leg end 97 or end of the torsion spring member will kick or force the next button to be sewn back into place into the recess 66 of the stationary jaw 65.

In the modification of the invention shown in FIGURE 12 the jaw pieces permit a button to be removed from the side of the stationary jaw piece so that buttons may be sewn down a strip of fabric without removal of and reinsertion of the fabric or cloth under the clamp each time. In this embodiment of the invention the plate 57 is provided with similar corresponding plates 59 and 60, as described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, but the stationary jaw piece 98, disposed adjacent to the plate 60 is L- shaped. The outer leg 99 of the jaw piece 98 is provided with a circular recess or groove 100 therein in alignment with the path of travel of the row of buttons in the chute 20. The movable jaw piece 101 is connected to the plate 59, as before described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, except that its slidable member or finger 102 is disposed along an axis diagonal to the path of travel of the row of buttons, or at an angle to the path of travel of the row of buttons, so that the inner end of the slidable member locks the button in the circular recess 100 in the stationary jaw piece 98, as shown in FIGURE 12. The wedge 69 is substantially similar to the wedge described in connection with FIG- URES 7 and 8 and the wedge is moved toward and away from the finger 102 by the same wedge solenoid 70, not shown in FIGURE 12. A spring member 95A, similar to the spring member 95 described in connection with FIG- URES 7, 8 and 11, is also provided to normally urge the slidable member 102 into contact with the wedge 69 and out of contact with a button disposed in recess 100, as before, It will be noted that in this modification of the invention the button 92 moves in the direction indicated in the arrow, or is removed from the side of the jaw 98 instead of in a direction coaxial with the path of travel of the row of buttons, as described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. In this embodiment of the invention the button is removed from between the jaws while the cloth or fabric is being brought into the next sewed position. This reduces the number of operations that the operator of the machine must go through and the process is much less tiring. In addition, the thread that trails from the needle 73 of the sewing machine is kept out of the way. It is pulled out along with the cloth in the direction of travel, and the jaw does not snag it when the next sewing cycle begins. In this embodiment of the invention it is not necessary to provide a spring wire flipper, which is shown in FIGURE 10, and hereinafter described, since the sidewise manner of the button from the jaw 98 eliminates any chance or probability of the sewing thread becoming entangled in any manner. With this embodiment of the invention a rack carrying a shirt panel can be moved sideways more readily than back and forth as well as sideways. In this embodiment of the invention there is no need for a button retention or torsion spring, such as the torsion spring member 96 described in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, as the buttons line up against the end of the jaw piece 98 and are removed at a right angle with respect to the path of travel of the buttons, instead of in the same direction as the path of travel of the buttons in the chute 20.

Referring to FIGURES l, 2 and 6, the sewing machine is provided with a pivotally connected platform or frame 103. The frame 103, as best seen in FIGURE 6, is substantially rectangular and is pivoted, or pivotally connected, to the sewing machine 72 at oppositely disposed pivot members 104. The pivot members 104 are secured to vertical braces or struts 105, in turn secured to the side of the sewing machine by other plates 106. The platform 103 is disposed below the chute 20, as seen in FIGURE 2, and is provided with a stop member or screw 107. as shown in FIGURES 2 and 6, so that the front end 108 of the platform can be tilted or moved downwardly toward the sewing platform 71. The downward movement of the platform 103 is controlled by a solenoid 109 having a rod 110 extending upwardly therefrom, as shown in FIGURE 2, and having its other end secured to a laterally extending ear 111 on platform 103. The solenoid 109 is secured to the plates 106 by any suitable means such as a bracket 112, shown in FIGURE 2. The platform 103 is horizontally disposed and is sufficiently spaced from the chute 20 so it will not interfere with it.

The platform 103, as seen in FIGURE 6, carries a J- shaped arm or lever 113 having a straight portion or leg 114 and an arcuate or curved portion or section 115. The straight leg portion 114 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 116 for swingable movement in a horizontal or lateral direction, from the position shown in FIGURE 6 to to the position indicated by dot-dash lines. A lever arm or J-shaped arm control solenoid 117 is secured to the platform 103 by any suitable means and has a rod 118 secured to the outer end 119 of the straight portion 114 of the J-shaped arm. The other end 120 of the straight portion 114 of the J-shaped arm is supported on a curved bracket support member 121 provided with a member 122 on the outer end thereof having spaced vertical stop members 123 and 124. The bracket support stop arm member 121 is provided with a plurality of apertures or openings therein so that the member 122 may be secured in any of the openings in order to adjust the position of the stop members 123 and 124. A return spring 125 is connected between the inner end of the member 121 and the straight section 114 of the J-arm so that upon de-energizing the I-arm control solenoid 117, the solenoid moves the outer end 119 toward the solenoid 117, causing the other end of the J-arm to move, as indicated in a clockwise direction by the arrows in FIGURE 6, to return the J-arm to its normal position of rest at which time the section 114 abuts the stop member 124.

The outer end 126 of the curved section 115 of the J- shaped arm, as thus seen in FIGURES 6 and 9, is provided with a button positioner member 127. This member is provided with a plurality of vertical pin members 128 on the lower end thereof adapted to be inserted within the holes of a button 92 to be sewed. The pin members 128 are spring-loaded or biased in a downward direction by individual springs disposed within the member 127. The member 127 has a vertical shaft 129 extending through an opening in the end 126 of the J-shaped arm and a horizontal pulley 130 is fixed to the shaft 129 by any suitable means. The spacings of the pins 128 are substantially equal to the diagonal distance between the holes in a fourhole button. If desired, the pins 128 can be fixed members instead of spring-loaded, and also if desired, the member 127, which is detachably connected to the shaft 128 by a set screw or the like, can be replaced with a twoprong or two pin button positioner member. The shaft 129 is rotatably secured by any suitable means to the curved section 115 of the J-shaped arm by a support bracket 131.

Another pulley 132 is secured to the inner end of the curved section 115 of the J-shaped arm, as best seen in FIGURE 6, and the pulley 130 and the pin members 128 are adapted to be rotated or turned by a nylon cord 133 carried by the pulleys 130 and 132 and having one end, indicated at 134, secured to the rod 135 of a solenoid 136, and the other end, indicated at 137, secured to a spring, in turn secured by any suitable means to the inner end of the section 115 of the J-shaped arm. Thus, the button positioner member 127 and its respective pins 128 is revolved by the pulley 130, the pulley in turn being driven by the nylon cord 133 attached from the pulley to the plunger rod 135 of the positioner solenoid 136. The solenoid plunger 135 has a limit set upon its travel so that the distance of travel causes the pulley 130 to revolve approximately threequarters of a turn, or a predetermined distance. The return spring 138 returns the pulley 130, the pins 128, and the solenoid plunger or rod 135 back to the reset condition when the positioner solenoid 136 is de-energized.

After a button 92 is locked in the complementary movable and stationary jaw pieces the solenoid 109 is energized so as to tilt or move the forward end of the platform 103 downwardly. Thereafter the solenoid 117 is energized so as to move the J-shaped arm from a position in contact with the stop member 124, in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrows in FIGURE 6, toward the other stop member 123 so that the button positioner member 127 moves over the button 92, and so the pins 188 enter the hole of the button when the positioner solenoid 136 is energized in order to properly square the button for sewing on the fabric. Thereafter the J-shaped arm is moved upwardly and outwardly away from the button to be sewed so as not to interfere with the sewing operations.

The pivot members 104 on opposite sides of the platform 103 are made sufliciently snug or tight so that they are friction-loaded to add to the control of any dipping tendency that might be introduced to the platform 103 inadvertently by vibration of the sewing machine.

Referring to FIGURES 9 and 10, a spring wire thread flipper 139 is secured by any suitable means within a vertical slot in the top of the shaft 129. When the shaft 129 rotates, the cord is wrapped around part-way on the pulley 130 and when the spring pulls for reset, the shaft 129 is rotated until the projection lines up with the cord. The spring-thread flipper 139 flips the thread out of the way when the positioner comes over to position a button.

Referring to FIGURE 15, this is a modification for rotating the button so as to square it for properly sewing it upon the cloth. In this modification a light beam from a lamp 140 passes through a lens 141 and if the buttonhole is not properly positioned the pencil of light will be reflected to a photoelectric cell 142 disposed to actuate a relay 143 through the use of an amplifier 144. The amplifier relay 143, 144 then actuates a motor 145 operatively connected to a roller 146 which it rotates in order to properly revolve or turn the button. The roller 146 is built into the stationary jaw piece 147.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is given merely by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of this invention.

FIGURE 19 shows the wiring diagram of the selectorpositioner. Since the positioner now swings over and then lowers while the cloth lock-button chute is raised, another solenoid is required. Switches are provided for the button lock mechanism to work at the proper time when the operator pushes down on the sewing machine pedal, not shown, and when the operator releases this pedal.

SW groups, M C 13 (sewing machine solenoid, cloth lock solenoid and button lock solenid) together, when T the pedal is pushed down; and groups B P P P (button -L lock solenoid, positioner-over solenoid, positioner-down solenoid, and positioner solenoid) together when the pedal is moved up.

SW is made to connect the button lock solenoid to the SW group 6 on the down stroke and SW group 7 on the up stroke.

SW operates from the cam wheel on the sewing machine. The contacts are arranged so the vibratory bowl is off, and the cloth lock and button lock are on while the machine is sewing. A small. tip of metal on the cam wheel rim pushes against the triangular shaped insulating block on the switch when the sewing machine comes to rest. A latching electromagnet EM9 and a free thread solenoid S are energized during the time the cloth lock solenoid S is energized. The latching electromagnet keeps the sequence switch from moving up while the machine is sewing. The free thread solenoid S pulls a loop of free thread from the spool, and then when the sewing machine begins, solenoid S energizes allowing the machine to use this free thread to begin the sewing operation. The selector circuit is now transistorized with TRl. The photoconductive CdS cell controls the base current to the transistor and illumination falling on the cell energizes relay RY1. The rest of the circuit remains the same, with the exception that connections to the contacts on RY1 are reversed, since the presence of a button surface will now energize the relay instead of de-energizing it. The sewing machine motor is supplied with an extra winding forming a transformer. This is used to energize the low-voltage exciter lamps EX.L. A variable resistance R5 in series, enables close setting of the sensitivity by controlling the intensity of illumination. If the micro-switch sensor is to be used, a resistance R4 (330009) is placed in series and then connected in circuit instead of the photoconductive cell. Connections to RY1 contacts would have to be changed also. When used this way, the transistor circuit protects the delicate micro-switch contacts from arcing, etc.

Referring to FIGURE 4, the optical system and photoconductive cell used in the light beam method of detection is shown. This method is superior in that various button thicknesses do not interfere with proper selection. Light from a small exciter lamp EX.L. (6 volts) is focused directly down by the lens to a small brilliant spot which hits the vibratory bowl track at the point indicated in FIG. 3, sheet 3. The track is blackened in this area so no great amount of light is reflected. Light that is reflected directly up, when a button back is in the spot of light, is caught by a mirror set at an angle. The light is reflected into the small end of a cone and then onto the sensitive surface of the photo-conductive cell. Light that does not come directly upward, but slants off at an angle is not intercepted by the mirror and does not enter the cone. As a button face passes, two pulses are generated as the rim passes under the light spot twice, but the beveled face causes the light to miss the mirror over the majority of the travel.

Referring to FIG. 19, when the light strikes a back, a relay RY1 is energized and the condenser C1 is charg ing; when the spot of light leaves the edge of the button the relay RY1 is de-energized and condenser C1 is discharged into RY2. RY2 is energized causing S7 to kick the button back into the bowl. Many varied button patterns may be fed by moving the light spot to the most favorable position relative to the button face and then making adjustments at R1 and at the variable resistance in series with the exciter lamp EX.L.

FIG. 14 shows the sequence switch carrying seven cam strips for the functions, M, C, B, B, P, P, P as described earlier. Also an electromagnet EM9 is shown which locks u an arm which flies up when the machine pedal is pressed down to the lowest point. The pointed end of the arm engages a notch shown. The cam strips can be moved back by the main spring only when EM9 becomes deenergized when the machine stops sewing. FIG. 14 also shows the double-single pole, double throw switch SW4 SW5. The cam strips are now cut to give the following sequence. The operator places the cloth under the cloth lock-button chute. The pedal is then moved down and the button is first locked, then the cloth is locked down and then the machine sews. When sewing is completed the button and cloth unlock automatically by SW3 and the operator removes the cloth and attached sewn button.

As the pedal is being returned to the up position the next button in line is squared by the following sequence: the button is locked, the positioner moves over, the positioner moves the four pins down upon the button face, the positioner rotates until the pins engage holes and the positioner then strains to turn the still locked button. The button is then unlocked and it spins until the pins are at the end of travel. The positioner solenoid is now de-energized and the spring returns the pins to the starting point and at the same time brings the button hole into square. The button is now relocked. The pin positioner is lifted and returned back out of the way. This sequence assures the button will be perfectly squared as spring power supplies the final force and always returns the positioner to the same place. In addition, the two directions of motion on the button face assure the pins will become engaged and that the button will become squared.

FIGURE 18 shows a method of timing out all functions on a cam assembly driven by a gear motor. This is useful where exact duplication of all the functions are desired and where automated sewing is to be employed. The cams raise and lower in the proper sequence and the pulses last the proper length of time. Contacts make when the cam follower falls and breaks when the cam follower raises. One revolution of the cam assembly provides all pulses to sew on one button including the necessary free time to pull out the sewn button and to reposition the cloth ready for the next button. The cam marked T on sheet controls the gear motor so it makes the cam assembly turn only one revolution at a time. A switch for momentary contact on the foot pedal begins the next cycle and need be closed only an instant-1ong enough for cam T to reclose the contacts. Cams M C B B P P are shaped to give the necessary sequence outlineil in the method for the sequence switch that is foot operated. Since there are no down and up differentiations to make and all operations are timed precisely, SW3, SW4, SW5 in FIG. 19 are not required.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for feeding buttons to a sewing machine comprising button chute means for feeding a plurality of buttons to the machine, vibratory spiral means for feeding said buttons to said chute means, selector means for feeding said buttons face side up to said chute means, button-locking means for holding a button in a predetermined position on said machine for sewing, positioner means for rotating a button disposed in said locking means to a predetermined position, said selector means including a sensor switch with a fixed plate secured to a stationary post, a first contact member secured to said plate, resilient spring means with a second contact member adapted to contact said first contact member, and feeler means extending downwardly from said resilient spring means for contacting a button passing by said sensor switch.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said spiral means comprises a cylindrical member with a continuous upwardly extending spiral ramp along its inner surface with a discharge opening adjacent the uppermost portion of said ramp.

3. The device of claim 2 having resilient members and wherein spaced vertical post members are disposed around the outer side of said cylindrical member with said resilient members abutting said cylindrical member.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein there is a vibrating machine, said cylindrical member is supported on a button by said vibrating machine with resilient feet attached thereto.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein said cylindrical member consists of a central chamber for holding buttons therein, and said spiral ramp consists of stepped continuous turns, with successive turns projecting radially outwardly of the lower adjacent turn.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein solenoid means are operatively connected to said sensor switch for kicking back into said spiral means a button facing wrong side up.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein said selector means includes solenoid means disposed adjacent the outer side of said cylindrical member and has a plunger extending adjacent the uppermost of said stepped turns.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said plunger extends over and across said uppermost of said stepped turns so said buttons must pass around the plunger tip.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said selector means include an optical sensor system with light means disposed to focus a beam of light on buttons on said spiral means for sensing a button facing wrong side up and solenoid means operatively connected to said optical system for stopping feeding of said wrong side up button to said chute means.

10. The device of claim 2 wherein said selector means includes an optical sensor system with light means disposed to focus a beam of light on a button facing wrong side up on said ramp, and solenoid means operatively connected to said optical system to kick said button off said ramp.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said chute means includes an upper chute and a lower button and cloth lock chute, and said upper chute is connected to said spiral means by resilient means and to said lower chute by resilient block and pin means to provide relative movement between said upper chute and said spiral means and lower chute.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said chutes are provided with vertical side walls and a fiat bottom and are open on their upper sides.

13. A device for feeding buttons to a sewing machine comprising button chute means for feeding a plurality of buttons to the machine, vibratory spiral means for feeding said buttons to said chute means, selector means for feeding said buttons face side up to said chute means, button-locking means for holding a button in a predetermined position on said machine for sewing, positioner means for rotating a button disposed in said locking means to a predetermined position, said chute means including an upper and lower chute, said upper chute being provided with a rubber L-shaped member, and an L-shaped bracket secured to said upper chute by a metal rivet, and said spiral means having cylindrical rubber members securing it to said L-shaped bracket, said L-shaped bracket extending into said rubber L-shaped member, said upper chute being provided with a pin member, said lower chute being provided with an 15 L-shaped shaped block and thin plate and said pin mem ber extending between said L-shaped block and thin plate.

14. A device for feeding buttons to a sewing machine :omprising button chute means for feeding a plurality of outtons to the machine, vibratory spiral means for feeding said buttons to said chute means, selector means for feeding said buttons face side up to said chute means, autton-locking means for holding a button in a predetermined position on said machine for sewing, positioner neans for rotating a button disposed in said locking neans to a predetermined position, said locking means including spaced movable and stationary jaw pieces with corresponding facing recesses for holding a button there- Jetween, said movable jaw piece including a slidable nember disposed to move toward and away from said ;tationary jaw piece, and a wedge member disposed to ibut said slidable member, and a first spring member biasing said slidable member into contact with said wedge nember and away from said stationary jaw piece.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein a rod is secured ;o the wedge member, and a second spring member is :onnected to said rod-biasing wedge member in a position to permit said slidable member to move away from said stationary jaw piece.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein a wedge solenoid Is operatively connected to said rod to move said wedge nember in a position to move said movable jaw piece toward said stationary jaw piece.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein a torsion spring nember is positioned adjacent said stationary jaw piece force a button into said stationary jaw piece recess.

18. The device of claim wherein said stationary aw piece is L-shaped and is substantially longer than said movable jaw piece and has a portion extending beyond said movable piece and a leg extending transversely 3f said space and overlapping said movable jaw piece and ;paced beyond the end of said movable jaw piece to prolide another space between said jaw pieces.

19. A device for feeding buttons to a sewing machine with a sewing platform and a frame thereon, upper and ower button chutes disposed over said platform, said ower chute having one end pivotally connected to said frame and having its other end movable toward and away from said platform, said upper chute having an end carried by the other end of said lower chute, button locking neans carried by said one end, means for raising and lowering said one end of the lower chute toward and away from said platform to lock a piece of cloth between the alatform and said one chute end, button-locking means on said one chute end for holding a button in a predeternined position on said cloth for sewing, and positioner neans for rotating a button disposed in said locking neans into a predetermined squared position.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said raising and lowering means includes an outwardly extending member am said lower chute, a solenoid rod with a disc extending ;hrough said outwardly extending member, spring means aormally biasing said rod upwardly to maintain said one :hute end in a raised position, other spring means biasing aaid one chute end in a downward position, and solenoid neans operatively connected to said spring means to Jvercome its biasing force and permit said other spring means to force said one chute end downwardly.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said lower chute is provided with a bottom and side walls, and said outwardly extending member is secured to a side wall and has an opening therein of substantially greater area than :he cross-section of said rod which extends therethrough, and said disc member is larger in diameter than the area of said opening and disposed below said opening.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said button-locking means includes a movable and a stationary jaw piece spaced apart for receiving buttons therebetween with corresponding facing recesses.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said movable jaw piece includes a slidable member disposed to move toward and away from said stationary piece, and a wedge member abutting said slidable member, and a third spring member urging said slidable member into contact with said wedge and away from said stationary jaw piece.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein a rod is secured to the wedge member, and a spring is secured to said rod wedge member and biases the wedge member in a position to permit said slidable member to move away from the stationary jaw piece.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein a wedge solenoid is operatively connected to the rod wedge member to move said movable jaw piece toward said stationary jaw.

26. The device of claim 25 wherein a torsion spring is positioned adjacent said stationary jaw piece to force a button into the stationary jaw piece recess.

27. The device of claim 19 wherein a positioner frame is provided for carrying said positioner means thereon, means pivotally connecting said positioner frame on said sewing machine frame for tiltable movement about a horizontal axis, said positioner means including an arm carried on said positioner frame and pivotally connected thereto adjacent one end of said arm to swing in a plane parallel to said positioner frame, pin means on the opposite end of said arm for extending into holes in the buttons, and pulley means for rotating said pin means a predetermined angle.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein said arm is substantially J-shaped and said one end of said arm is substantially straight and the other arm end is curved.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein an arm spring is provided with one end connected to said one arm end and a bracket support member is secured to said positioner frame and the other end of said arm spring is connected thereto to normally bias said arm and pin means away from a button disposed in said locking means.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein a positioner frame solenoid member is provided adjacent one side of said positioner frame and is operatively connected thereto to tilt said J-shaped arm downwardly toward said locking means.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein said J-arm solenoid member is carried the opposite side of said positioner frame, and a stop member extends below said positioner frame to maintain said positioner frame in a substantially horizontal position, and said J-arm solenoid is operatively connected to said one end of said J-arm to swing it in a direction so said pin means is disposed over a but ton disposed in said locking means.

32. The device of claim 31 wherein said pin means includes a rotatable shaft carried by the other end of said J-arm with downwardly extending pins secured thereto.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein said pulley means includes a sheave fixed for rotation to said shaft, a sheave fixed for rotation to said shaft, a cord belt having one end secured to one end of a spring, a solenoid secured to the other end of the cord belt, and the other end of said spring secured to the inner end of the curved portion of the J-arm.

34. The device of claim 33 wherein a threaded spring flipper member is fixed to said shaft.

35. The device of claim 19 wherein said locking means includes a movable and stationary jaw piece spaced apart for receiving buttons therebetween with corresponding facing recesses in said pieces, and said positioner means includes a motor driven roller in said stationary jaw and photoelectric means operatively connected to said roller to rotate a button a predetermined distance.

(References on following page) 17 18 References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS 863,220 3/1961 Great Britain.

2 804 036 8/1957 French et a1. 112-114 4 MER I T 3,012,651 12/1961 Hawkes 221-160 X V N S Prfmary Exan'nner 3,044,660 7/1962 Troll et a1 221-159 X 5 LARKlNAsslstant-Exammer 3,086,486 4/1963 Troll 112 113 3,123,251 3/1964 Schneider et a1. 221-156 221 156 CL 3,089,443 5/1963 Asnes 112 110 3,151,586 10/1964 MedOff et a1 112 113 1O UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated February 10, 1970 Patent No.

Inven William B. HODkinB It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

assignment should read one-half Column 1, line 5,

y, Inc. Muscatine, Iowa to McKee Button Compan Signed. and sealed this 19th day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer ROBERT GOTTSCHAIK Commissioner of PatentsO FORM PO-OSO (10-69] ILS. GOVIINIINT PIINIING OFFICE I... 0ll-!I4. 

